crabbs



Feb. 14, 1956 H. .1. CRABBS SWITCH LEVER LOCKING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 13, 1951 Insulation Fig. I.

INVENTOR Herbert J. Crobbs.

BVm/W ATTORNEY ALP Feb. 14, 1956 CRABBS 2,734,374

SWITCH LEVER LOCKING MEANS Filed Oct. 15. 1951 am 1 0 Fig.5. (I72 3 Fig.4.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES! INVENTOR MW z,

ATTORNEY Herbert J. Crobbs.

Feb. 14, 1956 H. J. CRABBS SWITCH LEVER LOCKING MEANS 3 Sheets$heet 5 Filed Oct. 15 1951 INVENTOR Herbert J. Crobbs.

ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

. SWITCH LEVER LOCKING MEANS Herbert J. Crabbs, Wilkinsburg, :house Electric Corporation,

poration of Pennsylvania Application October 13, 1951, Serial No. 251,172

' 9 Claims. (Cl. 70 2o1 Pa., assignor to Westingsupport and an operating handle is conveniently located and connected with the switch operating shaft by linkage or the like.

Anobje'ct of the present invention, generally stated, is

to provide relatively simple lock means for controlling the operation of a disconnect switch operating mechanism.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide key interlocks for controlling a switch operating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to providean electrical interlock which may be readily utilized in conjunction with one or more key interlocks for a switch operating mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide electri cal and key interlocks which may be utilized in different combinations to meet difierent operating requirements.

Other objects of the invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art East Pittsburgh, Pa, a con 7 2,734,374 Patented Feb. 14, 1956 Fig. 8-.is a view in front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7;

In accordance with the present invention, a rotating inv terlocking cylinder is actuated i a switch operating mechanism. An electrical interlock and oneor more key interlocks cooperate withthe inter-,

locking cylinder to control the operation of the switch operating mechanism.

For a better understanding of the. nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying. drawings, in which: k 1

Figure 1 isja view, partly in side elevation and partly in: section, of a disconnect switch and its operating mechanism embodying the principal features o the invention;

by the operating handle of@ the structure shown therein comprises a hollow support 2 of sheet metal or the like, having mounting flanges 3 adapted to be secured to a ing, at the side opposite mounting flanges 3, insulators 4 and 6 of porcelain. or the like. Insulator 4 is adapted to have secured at its outer end a break contact tongue 8 having a terminal pad 10 integral therewith for the connection of a line conductor'thereto. Insulator 6 has a hinge contact tongue 12 secured at its outerv end and provided with a terminal pad 13 integral therewith for the connection of another line conductor thereto. The contact tongues may be secured to the outer ends of insulators4 and 6, respectively, by any desired means, for example, by bolts 15.

A split switch blade 17 is adapted to have the split sides thereofpositioned at opposite sides of the contact tongues at the closed position of the switch, with the blade being pivotally mounted on hinge contact 12 asby pivot bolt 16, and the other ends of the blade sides are connected by a bolt 18, which is adapted to be received in a notch 20 provided at the outer end of the break contact tongue 8 at the closed position of the switch. Preferably, bolts 16 and 18 are provided with cup-shaped spring washers 22 for urging the sides of the blade 17 towards each other into pressure engagement with the contact tongues.

As described in my above cited patent, on a switch, a plurality of identical disconnect switch structures may be mounted in side-by-side relation, with each switch blade 17 adapted to be actuated by a link 24, preferably of insulating material such as fiber or a molded insulating material, in order to insulate the switch from the switch actuating mechanisms. Each link 24 is pivotally connected between the sides of its split blade 17 by a pivot pin 26, and, inturn, 'is pivoted at its other end on a connecting rod 28 which is connected to an actuating crank 30 secured to a countershaft 32.

It will be observed that at the closed position of the switch illustrated in Fig. 1, connecting link 24 and actuat- Fig. 2 is a detail view, in plan, of part of the lock mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view, in side bershown in Fig. 2; V

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view pattly in front elevation and elevation of the meming crank 30 form toggle levers substantially at or slightly beyond an overcenter position. The switch blades are thus locked by these toggles at their closed circuit positions, and in order. to open the switches, counter shaft 32 must be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l, to move the switch blades in a similar manner to a position wherein they are spaced from break contact tongues 8. The switch blades may be moved to closed circuit position by rotation of the countershaft 32 in the opposite direction, to the position shown in Fig. 1.

As described in my aforesaid patent, countershaft 32 for operating the switch blades is provided at one end with a remote operating crank 34 of special construction. The crank 34 includes a clamp member 46 which is held in clamping engagement with the countershaft partlyin section, of the operating handle and lock mecha nism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view, in elevation, of another part of the lock mechanism;

Fig. '6 is an enlarged detail view, in elevation, of a modification of still Fig.7 is an enlarged view', partly in plan and partly in section, of'the lower part of the mechanism shown in Figs. land 4, but illustrating a modified lockdevice;

another part of the lock mechanism;

32 by a clamp bolt 58, having a nut 60 thereon. The

crank 34 also includes an extensible portion 62 which i is threaded into the outer end of the crank 34 and having a lock nut 64 to secure it at an adjusted position.

The outer end of extensible portion 62 of the crank structure is provided with an opening for pivotal connection thereof to the remotely operated mechanism.

The special structure of crank 34 described in the aforesaid patent is for the purpose of permitting easy mounting of the crank on the countershaft 32, which suitable support, and supportis hexagonal in form, by means of the single clamp bolt 58. Notches and 54 are provided in the separate clamping parts of the crank structure for the purpose of permitting interlocking of the crank structure and countershaft in a non-rotatable manner at a relatively large number of different angular positions of the crank relative to the shaft.

The crank 34 is adapted to be connected to remotely located manual operating mechanism by a pivot pin 68 connecting it with an extensible rod 70 of a tubular drive link 72. A tubular fixture 74 is threaded on the upper end of link 72 and, in turn, has rod 70 threaded therein and secured at an adjusted position by a lock nut 76. The other end of drive link 72 is provided with a tubular fixture 78 which in turn has threaded therein one 'end of an extensible rod 80 which is secured in adjusted position by a nut '82. The extensible rod 80 of link 72 is pivotally connected as by a pivot pin 84 with a drive crank 86 rotatably mounted on a supporting bracket 88. The supporting bracket 88 is provided with a base flange 89 adapted to be secured to any suitable support 91 as by bolts 93.

An operating handle structure is provided at its lower end with 'a mounting fixture 92 having at one end a tubular portion in which is threadedl'y received an elongated tube 94 as shown in Fig. 4. The other end of mounting fixture 92 is fork-shaped to present spaced legs 96 and 98 which are adapted to receive therebetween the enlarged substantially cylindrically shaped outer end 100 of supporting bracket 88. The handle structure is adapted to be mounted on bracket 88 by means of a single pivot belt 102 which extends through a closefitting bearing aperture in leg 98 of mounting fixture 92, through a bearing sleeve 104 provided in a bearing aperture in the outer end of bracket 88, with the bolt and bearing sleeve extending through an aperture in leg 96 of mounting fixture 92, with a'nut 106 for the bolt to secure the parts in assembled relation. A lock washer 110 may be provided on the bolt 102.

The outer end 100 of support bracket 88 is provided with abutments 112 and 114 extending substantially entirely across the cylindrical portion 100 and positioned opposite each other slightly more than 180 apart. The abutments 112 and 114 are adapted to cooperate with a stop lug 116 provided on mounting fixture 92 between legs 96 and 98 thereof, so as to be engageable with one end of each abutment 114 and 112 to limit rotation of the handle structure to an arc of substantially 180. The cylindrical portion 100 of supporting bracket 88 is also provided "at one end with a semi-circular fiange 118, the ends of which terminate at points spaced from abutments 112 and 114, respectively, to provide latch recesses 120 and 122 therebetween. The latch recesses are adapted to receive a latch plunger 124' 'slidably mounted within handle tube 94.

The outer end of tube 94 of the handle structure 90 is provided with a tubular fitting 126 threadedly mounted on the. end of the tube and having integral therewith a bail-like handle 128 provided with a transverse hand grip portion 130 which is channel-shaped in form with the channel opening inwardly or towards tube 94. The latch plunger 124 is provided with a washer 132 within handle tube 94. which is maintained in position by pin 134 extending through the latch plunger for supporting a 1 coil compression spring 136 which reacts'between washer 132 and fixture 126 to continually bias'the latch plunger towards support 88. At its outer end the latch plunger has bail-like portion 138 adapted to be positioned within the bail-like handle 128 and includes transverse hand grip portions 140 with an extensionp142 receiv edin the channel of hand grip 130 to slidably guide bail-like portion 138. Guide extension 142 of the latch hand grip portion does not extend entirely across the interior of handle 128, thereby providing openings 144 at each side to permit a padlock or the like to be inserted in openings 143 provided in opposite sides of handle 128 to prevent upward latch releasing movemcnt of portion 138, as viewed in Fig. 4, thereby preventing unauthorized movement of handle 90.

As described in my aforesaid patent the handle structure 90 is secured to the drive crank 86 by the pivot bolt 102 and it may be secured thereto in a non-rotatable fashion at a plurality of different angular positions. For this purpose the leg 98 of the handle mounting fixture 92 is provided with a substantially comically shaped socket on the outer side therefor for cooperation with a conically shaped boss 148 provided on the drive crank 86. The boss 148 is provided with a plurality of ribs on the periphery thereof uniformly spaced a predetermined distance apart. The conical socket is provided with a plurality of spaced grooves for receiving the ribs on the drive crank, thereby making it possible to secure the drive crank to the handIe structure by the pivot bolt 102 at a plurality of equally spaced different angular positions.

In the closed switch position shown in Fig. l, the crank 86 and link 72 form a toggle which is at or just beyond an overcenter position. When it is desired to operate the switch by the mechanism described above, from the closed circuit position, hand grip portions 130 and 140 are manually grasped, thus causing outward movement of the grip portions 140 to withdraw the latch plunger 124 from recess 122 and release the handle structure 90 for pivotal movement in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l. The handle structure 90 may then be moved 180 to a depending position, thereby moving switch blades 17 to their open circuit positions through the linkage '86, 72 and 34 to countershaft 32 and then to the switch blades as previously described.

At the open circuit position, when hand grip portions 140 are released,'the bi asing spring 136 will automatically move latch plunger 124 into recess 120, thereby latching the handle structure 90 at the open circuit position of the switch. As previously described, stop lug 116 on the handlefixture 92 cooperates with abutments 112 and 114 to limit movement of the switch and thus define the extrer'ne positions thereof at which it will be latched by latch plunger 124.

As described in rny aforesaid patent, it is also possible to provide the handle structure 90 with key interlocks in a relatively simple manner, as disclosed in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, by merely providing a lock plate on bolt 102 at the side of the handle structure opposite drive crank 86. Th'e'lock plate 155 has aperipheral flange 154 which isinterrupte'd at opposite points to form recesses 156 for receiving mounting fixture 92 of the operating handle structure. Accordingly, when the lock plate 155 is secured position as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 by the bolt 102, it is non-rotatably secured relative to the handle structure '90. The lock plate 155 is provided with at least one aperture 158, adapted to be engaged in one position of the switch, for example, the closed circuit position by a lock plunger 160 controlled by a lock 162 secured on the'outer end of an angular supporting bracket 168 which may be mounted directly on supporting bracket 88, for example, as by bolts 169. The lock plunger 160 is adapted to'be extended and retracted by rotation of a tumbler cylinder 166 when a key is inserted therein and turned, with the tumbler cylinder being mounted'in the usual lock barrel 164. The lock plunger 160 is illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 as being in its retracted position permitting operation of handle structure 90.

Key'interlocks such as those disclosed in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are adapted for use in a well-known manner with keys which alsocontr'ol similar key interlocks applied to electrical apparatus such'as, for example, circuit breakers or the-like, connected'in the same circuit. Briefly, where key interlocks 'ar'e applied to a disconnect switch and a circuit breaker in'the same circuit, the arrangement'may removed when thebreaker is opened'for use inthe disconnect interlock, such as interlock, 162, to unlock the disconnect switch and permit it to be opened. Similarly,

when the disconnectswitch is open, plunger 160 is retracted and cannot be extended because it is blocked by plate 155. Consequently, the key cannot be removed from lock 162 to permit operation of the breaker until the disconnect switch has been locked closed.

Various other. arrangements may be employed, for example, it maybe desirable to provide a pair of key interlocks for locking the disconnect switch open as well asclosed. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 9, wherein the lock plungersof both locks are adaptedto cooperate with a single aperture provided in lock plate 155.

In accordance with the present invention, an electrical interlock may be utilized with or without one or more associated interlocks of the keytype. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, asubstantially cylindrical lock plate 170 is secured to the handle assembly by means of the bolt 102. Spaced projections 172 are provided on the base of the lock plate 170. The projections 172 are disposed on opposite sides of the handle member 92, thereby causing the lock plate 170 to be rotated with the handle. One or more apertures 174 are provided in the side wall of the cylindrical lock plate 170. These apertures may be solocated that they will receive plungers 160 of key interlocks 162, which may be of the type previously described. The key interlocks-162 may be mounted on a generally rectangular housing 176 which is attached to the bracket 88 by bolts 178.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the housing 176 comprises a vU-shaped member 180 having a generally triangular shaped extension 182 on one leg of the U- shaped member. An L-shaped member 184 may be welded to the member 180 underneath the extension 182. The member 184 has openings 186 therein for the bolts 178 which, as previously explained, are utilized to attach the support 176 to the bracket 88. A cover plate 188 may be attached to one side of the U-shaped member by screws 190.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, an electrical interlock 192 is also mounted on the support 176. The electrical interlock comprises the coil 194, which is mounted in a magnet frame 196, and an armature 198. The electro-magnet assembly may be disposed in a housing 200 which is mounted on the support 176. The magnet frame may be attached to the housing 200 by bolts 202.

As shown in Fig. 4, a plunger 204 may be attached to the armature 198 by means of a yoke 206 and a pin 208. The plunger 204 is slidably disposed in a bushing 210 which extends through the bottom of the housing 200 into an opening 212 in the support 176. The end of the wall of the cylindrical lock plate 170 has a notch 214 therein for receiving the plunger 204 when the handle 90 and the lock plate 170 are in a predetermined position, for example, the closed position for the switch 17. Thus, the handle may be locked in this position by the plunger 204.

As shown in Fig. 4, the plunger 204 has a notch 216 in one side which is in alignment with the wall of the cylindrical lock plate 170 when the plunger 204 is in its lowermost position, as shown by the broken lines. Thus, when the coil 194 is de-energized, the plunger 204 will drop to its lowermost position to permit the lock plate 170 to rotate, thereby permitting operation of the handle 90 and the switch 17. Thus, with the foregoing construction, the handle 90 is locked when the electromagnet is energized and it is unlocked when the magnet is deenergized.

If desired, a shorter plunger 204', see Fig. 6, may be utilized in place of the plunger 204. When the plunger 204' is raised to its uppermost position by the energize.- tion of the electro-magnet coil 194, the lower end of the" plunger is above the wall of the lock plate 170, there-* by permitting rotation of the lock plate. .When the electromagnet is de-energized, the plunger 204' drops into the notch 214 to block rotation of the lock plate. Thus, with this construction, the handle is locked when the electromagnet is de-energized and unlocked when the electromagnet is energized.

As shown in Fig. 4, an additional notch 214 may be provided in the lock plate and so located that the handle 90 may be locked in its opposite position by means of the electrical interlock 192. Also, if desired an opening 212 may be provided on the opposite side of the housing 176 to permit the electrical interlock 192 to be mounted on this side of the housing.

As explained hereinbefore, one or more key interlocks 162 may beutilized in conjunction with the electrical interlock 192. Accordingly, various combinationsof locks may be provided to suit diflerent operating conditions. The electrical interlock may be automatically energized through auxiliary switches on circuit breakers or other apparatus to protect the equipment under predetermined conditions. As explained hereinbefore, the key interlocks may be manually operated and they may be so arranged as to require certain conditions to be fulfilled before the apparatus can be operated, thereby protecting the apparatus against improper operation. I

As shown in Fig. 10, the drive crank 86 and the inter- I locking means may be mounted on opposite sides of the handle 90 from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 4. 'As previously explained, one or more key interlocks 162 may be utilized in conjunction with the electrical interlock 192. Furthermore, if desired, additional electrical interlocks similar to the one shown may be provided.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that I have provided for controlling the operation of disconnect switches or other apparatus by means of both mechanical T and electrical interlocks which may be readily arranged in various combinations to meet different operating con ditions. The interlocks may be readily applied to the operating mechanism for switches or other apparatus without requiring any change in the basic operating mechanism structure. provided on either the right or the left-hand of the switch operating handle. Also, they may be mounted in either up'or down positions to suit application requirements.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described construction and diiierent embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A look mechanism for an operating handle rotatably mounted on a bracket, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to the handle, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, and electro-maguetic lock means mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle.

2. A lock mechanism for an operating handle rotatably mounted on a bracket, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to the handle, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, electro-magnetic lock means mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle, and key-controlled lock means also mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate also to lock the handle.

3. A lock mechanism for an operating handle rotatably mounted on a bracket, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to the handle, said plate having holes in the side wall thereof, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, said housing having holes in alignment with Furthermore, the interlocks maybe the holes in the plate at predetermined positions of the handle, and key-controlled lock means mountedon said housing and operable into said holes to lock the handle.

4, A lock 'mechanism for an operating handle rotatably mounted on a bracket, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to the handle, said plate having holes in the side wall thereof, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, said housing having holes in alignment with the holes in the plate at predetermined positions of the handle, key-controlled lock means mounted on said housing and operable into said holes to lock the handle, and electromagnetic lock means also mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle.

5. Locking means for an operating handle having a portion adapted to receive a supporting bracket and be rotatably mounted thereon, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to said portion of said handle and movable therewith, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, and electro-magnetic lock means mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle.

6. Locking means for an operating handle having a portion adapted to receive a supporting bracket and be rotatably mounted thereon by a single bolt, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to said portion of said handle by said bolt and movable with the handle, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, electromagnetic lock means mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle, and key-Controlled lock means also mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle.

7. Locking means for an operating handle having a portion adapted to receive a supporting bracket and be rotatably mounted thereon, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to said portion of said handle and movable therewith, said plate having holes in the side wall thereof, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, said housing having holes in alignment with the 8 holes in the plate at predetermined positions of the handie, and key-controlled lock means mounted on said housing andoperable into said holes to lock the handle. 8. Locking means for an operating handle having a portion adapted to receivec a supporting bracket and be rotatably mounted thereon by a single bolt, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to said portion of said handle by said bolt and movable with the handle, said plate having holes in the sidewall thereof, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, said housing having holes in alignment with the holes in the plate at predetermined positions of the handle, key controlled lock'rneans mounted on said housing and operable into said holes to lock the handle, and electromagnetic lock means also mounted on said housing and operable to engage the lock plate to lock the handle.

9. Locking means for an operating handle having a portion adapted to receive a supporting bracket and be rotatably mounted thereon by a single bolt, comprising a substantially cylindrical lock plate secured to said portion of said handle by said bolt and movable with the handle, said plate having holes in the side Wall thereof, a generally rectangular housing supported by said bracket and surrounding the lock plate, said housing having holes in alignment with the holes in the plate at predetermined positions of the handle, key-controlled lock means mounted on said housing and operable into said holes to lock the handle, and'electrmmagneti'c lock means also mounted on said housing and operable when energized to engage one end of the cylindrical lock plate to lock the handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,134,054 McNeece Mar, 30, 1915 1,260,918 Lampson Mar. 26, 1918 1,275,039 Jensen Aug. 6, 19l8 1,382,183 Fekete June 21, 1921 1,499,427 Tullar July 1, 1924 1,774,540 Alsaker et al. Sept. 2, 1930 2,579,798 Crabbs Dec. 25, 1951 

